Buffing or cleaning tool



March 4, 1941. A: J. WHELAN, sr-z 2,233,565

BUFFING OR CLEANING TOOL Filed May 8, 1940 AL gasim J Whelarz Sr:

KNVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in bufling or cleaning tools.

The primary object of the invention is to'provide a simple, inexpensive, durable, eflicient and compact holder for sandpaper, emery paper, cloth,

and the like with novel means for clamping the same to the tool.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a tool of the above character in' which means is provided for supporting the hand of the user to obtain maximum efficiency when using the tool for bufiing, polishing or the like.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of the application.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a buffing or cleaning tool embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan View thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view thereof.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description thereof, the improved buffing or cleaning tool is generally designated by the reference numeral 5 and includes a substantially rectangular-shaped base 6 having upturned flanges 1 formed on the longitudinal edges thereof. The base 6 may be formed of wood, metal or any desired material but is preferably relatively light in weight.

A backing strip of sheet material 8 of felt or the like is adhesively secured to the lower face of the base 6, the ends 9 of said material extending upwardly and over the ends of the base It and. are retained in position by means of a pair of blocks II] to be hereinafter more fully described. A sheet of material I l of emery paper, sandpaper, chamois cloth or the like is detachably held over the sheet 8, the ends 12 likewise extending over the ends of the base and held thereto by means of the block Ill. As is to be understood, the sheet of material II is readily detachable for replacement and substitution of materials depending upon the use of the tool.

The blocks ID are detachably held on each end of the base 6 and are designed to retain the buffing or cleaning material on the base, said blocks being held by means of threaded studs l3 carried by the base 6 adjacent each end thereof. Each stud I3 is provided with a. wing nut M, the tightening of which locks the blocks In in position. Loosening the wing nuts l4 will permit removal of the ends of the material fromv the base.

A washer I5 is disposed between each Wing nut and block.

A hand rest It is mounted on the upper face of the base 6, said hand rest being of subst'an tially U-shape configuration in cross section, the arms I! thereof being formed with outwardly turned flanges I8 adapted to be positioned beneath the blocks ID for locking said hand rest in position on the base. As more clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing, the hand rest [6 fits between the base flanges l and is disposed substantially centrally of the base. In the use of the tool, the palm of the hand is supported on the upper face of the hand rest with the fingers in engagement with one arm I! thereof in the manner shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. Thus pressure can be applied to the tool for effectively using the same for waxing, bufiing, polishing or the like.

The back of the hand is supported by means of a substantially U-shaped handle l8 pivotally attached as indicated at l9 substantially centrally of the base to the flanges 1. The handle I8 is preferably stamped from sheet material with a covering 20 applied to the bowed portion thereof for preventing injury to the handof the user. The intermediate portion of each arm 2| of the handle is formed with a circular-shaped portion 22 forming a rest for the thumb as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. By this construction, the palm and fingers of the hand are comfortably supported on the hand rest [6 with the thumb firmly held on the portion 22 so that weight can be properly applied when using the tool for bufiing, polishing, or the like.

It is thought that the use and advantages of the tool are readily apparent from the above description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing. The bufling or polishing material is securely clamped to the tool but can be readily replaced or interchanged as needed.

Also it will be understood, of course, by those skilled in the art that variations in the hereinabove described device involving the substitution of substantial equivalents for the devices described are intended to be comprehended within the spirit of the present invention and that the invention is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claims.

tending over each end thereof between said side flanges, a stud projecting upwardly adjacent each end of said base, a block mounted on each stud for securing said material to said base, said blocks adapted to be clamped to said base, and a hand rest supported centrally of saidbase and heldby means of fsaid blocks for' engagement when using said tool.

2. A tool of the character described comprising 'a base, upwardly extending flanges formed on each side edge of said base, a sheet 'of"mate'rial 1 disposed over the lower face of said base and extending over each end thereof between said side flanges, a stud projecting upwardly adjacent each end of said base, a block mounted on each stud for securing said material to said base, said blocks adapted to be clamped tosaid base, a hand rest supported centrally of said base and held by means of said blocks for engagement when using said tool, a handle extending above said hand rest, said handle being formed with arms pivotally attachedto the flanges of said base, and means formed onfsaid 'h andle' 'for engagement by the thumb when using the tool.

AUGUSTIN J. WHELAN, SR. 

